Page 33 - IAADFS Summit of the Americas 2025 Special Issue

INSIDER

Grand Cayman cruise pier debate heats up as government approves
referendum vote

The years-long, often acrimonious, Last year saw a decline of 838,000 cruisers CPR is a non-profit organization
debate on whether a cruise pier should be compared to 2018. formed in 2019 to campaign for a people-
built on Grand Cayman heated up again last In contrast, the Port of Nassau in initiated referendum on the Verdant Isle
month, when the Caymanian Parliament The Bahamas, which recently added ship cruise project then under proposal under a
voted 13 to 5 in favor of allowing a berths, saw a record 5.6 million cruise former administration.
referendum on the future of cruise shipping passengers in 2024, up 1.2 million over the One of the CPR’s fundamental
to the island. year before. concerns is the impact that a cruise project
The Cayman Islands general elections, in George Town Harbour would have on
in which the referendum will be decided, Elevating the visitor experience its unique marine environment. The group
are set for April 30, 2025. The absence of cruise berthing disputes cruise executives’ claim that
For months, the Association for Cruise infrastructure is a key factor behind this building berthing facilities there would be
Tourism (ACT), has been at the forefront downturn, creating severe economic and environmentally and scientifically sound.
of efforts to bring this issue directly to the social challenges for local businesses, CPR says that it was successful
Caymanian people through a referendum. including retailers, restaurants, and tour in 2019 in securing a people-initiated
The Caymans is a tender destination, operators that rely heavily on cruise referendum in line with the constitution.
which ACT says has stalled cruise tourism passengers. With fewer cruise visitors, the However, that vote never took place due to
growth for years and led to a decline in future of tourism and commerce in Cayman a combination of factors that led to a legal
cruise calls. The ACT is made up of tour is at serious risk, says ACT. challenge before the entire project proposal
companies, restaurateurs, bar owners, and ACT Cayman maintains that the was derailed by COVID-19.
transportation providers concerned over the new cruise berthing facility is not about The CPR factor believes that the
current cruise port situation. increasing mass tourism but about elevating Caymans should continue to focus on high-
Since there is no pier to accommodate the visitor experience, ensuring economic end hotel tourism and the boutique cruise
cruise ships, cruise passengers must use sustainability, and securing the long-term sector rather than welcome the larger cruise
tenders (water shuttles) to visit the island. viability of Cayman’s tourism industry. ships to the island.
Port visits are canceled due to weather, According to ACT Executive Program “Cayman’s tourism success is built
especially during the winter or hurricane Manager Ellio Solomon, modernizing on its unique appeal, pristine environment,
season. Cayman’s cruise infrastructure is essential and high-value visitor experiences,” CPR
Part of the drop is due to cruise lines to maintaining its competitive edge. “Just said in a statement issued on February 2,
building more mega ships than ever before. as we’ve invested in our airport to provide 2025. “Instead of sacrificing these strengths
Due to the amount of guests that these a first-class arrival experience, building for the sake of accommodating mega-ships,
ships carry, they generally avoid ports piers will allow us to deliver that same Cayman should focus on long-term tourism
where you have use tenders, report local world-class service to cruise visitors. strategies that emphasize high-value
media. It enhances safety, facilitates seamless overnight visitors and a thriving boutique
embarkation and disembarkation, and cruise sector.
Cruise tourism is booming – except in enables us to attract premium cruise lines “While making up only 20% of the
Cayman that bring high-quality visitors and greater visitor headcount, stayover tourists account
According to ACT, in a paper issued economic benefits to the country.” for 80% of tourism revenue and contribute
on February 12 entitled “The Truth on less strain to our limited carrying capacity,”
Cruise Tourism,” the declining numbers Opponents call for “full transparency” says the group.
highlight the urgency of investment in ahead of cruise vote “Together, we envision a Cayman
cruise infrastructure. Across the Caribbean, Local activist group Cruise Port that leads the Caribbean as a beacon of
cruise tourism is thriving, with most Referendum (CPR) Cayman strongly sustainability, where mindful community-
destinations experiencing record-breaking argues against the cruise pier initiative, and centered development, a prosperous and
arrivals, they say. Since 2019, the region is demanding that all relevant information happy community, and eco-tourism pave
has seen a 14.3% increase in cruise and data on the plans, location, costs and the way for enduring success,” said the
arrivals. ACT points out that even among environmental impacts relating to any CPR statement.
destinations with slight declines, more than proposed cruise berthing facility should be ACT has called the CPR argument
35% are down by less than five percent. released to the public before the country is “fear-mongering” and accuses CPR of
The Cayman Islands, however, is asked to vote. making claims without substantiating them
experiencing “a staggering” 41% decline The government says that the and contends that the group has repeatedly
in cruise arrivals since 2019. In 2023, the referendum is to vote on the principle declined opportunities to engage in open
island saw 650,000 fewer guests arrive via of cruise berthing rather than a specific debates.
a cruise ship compared to five years earlier. project, according to the Cayman News.

33 March 2025 Summit of the Americas